Decorating with seasonal accents

Spring
Stock up on spring flowers—lots of 'em. Fill a windowsill with tulip, crocus or daffodil bulbs in plastic pots from the local grocery or convenience store. They're also great to stick, pots and all, into urns or planters on your front step.

Yes, a good old-fashioned spring cleaning really is good for your soul as well as your house. It's also a great time to reassess everything from sheets and towels to furnishings and draperies. Replace worn-out linens with nice new ones; repair, refinish, or send out for cleaning any furnishings or curtains that need it.

Replace darker colours with lighter ones as soon as the weather warms up. Cover dark upholstery with light slipcovers; dark-toned pillows and other accents should be switched to light ones. In Jacqueline's household, white and pale vases filled with fresh-cut spring flowers also go on all her tables.

Summer
Before it gets too hot, throw all your windows open and let in some fresh air. Even the most immaculate homes can get a bit stuffy over time.

Fresh fruits and veggies make great summer décor accents. Jacqueline buys a large quantity of whatever happens to be in season, from avocados to oranges and lemons&mdashand fills her bowls and wicker baskets to display on tables.

Put out summer placemats and napkins; for a picnicky feeling, try red or blue gingham.

Bottles of water aren't just great for a cool drink; in quantity, they also look good. Jacqueline particularly likes the kind that comes in royal blue glass bottles. She puts them out on her kitchen counter, along with a bowl of fresh cut limes; the colour combination is luscious, and people can help themselves as they go by.

Image courtesy of Crate and Barrel 

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